Make alot of large circles of different colors (they are icecream scoops) and a brown cone to fit the circles. Tell the story about a child (make up a name, mabe one in your care, they like to hear their name in a story) who got to go to the mall with their mom (you can adlib and ask if anyone gets to go to the mall etc.) While they were shopping. mom said when we are all done we will go to the icecream store(adlib somemore to see if they get to go to the icecream store) When they get to the icecream store there are sooo many flavors to choose from. Let them choose flavors for the colors you have. Gee, I think I want bubblegum(pink), so the store lady puts on a pink circle, now I want banana, (yellow.) Keep going until the cone is hudge and stacked with circles.(I forgot to tell you to make a bowl out of flannel too and a spoon). She is very happy with her great big icecream but oh no it starts to slide of the cone so mom and whoever deceilde to put it in a bowl and eat it
with a spoon.

Make an art project too of an icecream cone like in the story. I cut out all kinds of colored circles and a cone shape. They glue as many circles on their cone as they want. Use the large construction paper and turn it on end.

~Submitted by Cheryl's Sweethearts ChildCare

Sensory Table

Get inexpensive tub of ice-cream and scoop into the sensory table. Let the children play in it! Yucky but fun. Game: Give each child a scoop of ice-cream or 2 in a bowl. Have them sit at a table that they fit comfortably at. Make them keep their hands behind their backs and eat the ice-cream with only their mouths! Video tape or take pictures.

~Submitted by Cheryl's Sweethearts ChildCare

Science

Go out on the sidewalk (on a hot sunny day) bring a plastic bowl, metal pie tin and a glass dish. Put one spoonful of ice-cream on each and on directly on the sidewalk (or black top). What will melt first, second, third. . . why do you think we got the results that we did? If the ice-cream is different colors will it make a difference? Art: Glue a large triangle (the cone) on a piece of paper and finger-paint the ice-cream scoop. Fun twist: Instead of using paint use REAL ice-cream to paint with!

~Submitted by Cheryl's Sweethearts ChildCare

Teach The Kids

"I scream, you scream, we all scream the loudest. Then have
them all say it together. Have a third party judge and they will be able to see that working together, they make the most noise.

Make scoops of Ice Cream from various colors of yarn pompoms
Real plastic ice cream scoops
Make cone shapes from brown paper
Small plastic cups
Plastic spoons
Turn a cardboard box over and cut 6-8 holes in the base...use as an ice cream cone holder.
White aprons
Add cash register and play money and purses and wallets

~Submitted by Cheryl's Sweethearts ChildCare

Dramatic Play

Constructive Playthings used to sell plastic ice cream cone set to use for dramactic play. Add empty Baskin Robbins plastic containers in different sizes and their pink spoons, and a couple of plastic ice cream scoops.

~Submitted by Cheryl's Sweethearts ChildCare

In The Kitchen

Make Ice Cream

Invite the children to make their own ice cream sundaes with a selection of toppings. Make ice cream sandwiches using favorite cookies.

~Submitted by Cheryl's Sweethearts ChildCare

Home Freezer Ice Cream

Who says it has to be summertime to enjoy ice cream? Not your kids, that's for sure! Everyone loves ice cream, and what better way to beat the cold weather blues than with some cold treats? Gather your kids around, get out the ingredients and have some fun. Don't forget to pull out all your favorite toppings. You can use anything from sprinkles to crushed candy bars to cookies. Fresh fruit is an excellent topper for a fresh bowl of homemade vanilla ice cream. Try bananas or strawberries sliced and thrown on top. Or add them to the blender with a splash of milk for a fabulous shake.Anything is possible. Have fun with it! Let the kids help pick the toppings and make it a fun day for everyone!

In heavy, 3-quart saucepan with spoon, combine sugar, flour, and salt. In medium bowl with hand beater or wire whisk, beat eggs and milk and eggs together until well blended; stir into sugar mixture until smooth. Cook for about 15 minutes over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and coats the spoon, being sure that the custard does not boil or it will curdle; cool. Stir in 2 cups heavy or whipping cream and 5 teaspoons vanilla extract. Freeze and Enjoy!

~Submitted by Cheryl's Sweethearts ChildCare

Ice Cream Popsicles

This is a little variation on the whole ice cream idea, but it's something very
simple. Make popscicles! Use store bought molds or you can use paper
cups and craft sticks. Pour juice or Kool-aid into the molds/cups and add
the sticks. Then, freeze it. It makes a great snack on a hot day!!!

1. Place all ingredients into a pint-sized FREEZER baggie and seal well.
2. In a gallon size FREEZER baggie fill 1/2 way with ice, and add 6 T. of rock salt on top of ice.
3. Place pint size freezer baggie inside gallon size freezer baggie and seal tight!
4. Place inside sweatshirt and get a partner. Shake and shake and shake! Can place both partners bags in shirt at same time. . .
5. It will become a solid in about 4 minutes or less!
6. Get a spoon and eat right out of bag - eat quickly! Ice cream melts on hot days!

Concepts Taught: first law of thermodynamics, matter changing form, fun

Have the students bring in 2 packets of sugar (or 1/2 bag equal/sweet n low) and 2 ziplock bags (1 sandwich size & 1 freezer size). Bring in 4 gallons of milk for 90 students, 1 large bottle of vanilla, 1 box of rock salt and a cooler of ice.

Have the students pour the sugar in the sandwich bag while they are waiting. As they come up to the table or counter, have them put 2 cups of ice and 1 tablespoon of rock salt in the freezer size bag. Then pour 1 cup of milk and 1 teaspoon of vanilla into the sandwich bag with the sugar. Seal the small bag and place it inside the large bag. Seal the large bag and have them shake for about 5 minutes. Once the inside ingredients begin to firm up they can take it out of the big bag, dispose of it's contents, and eat their ice cream. They think it is great fun and the ice cream is pretty good.

~Submitted by Cheryl's Sweethearts ChildCare

Ice Cream

When the milk or cream mixture is placed in a very cold ice bath, the mixture starts to freeze. This is what we call ice cream!

Purpose: To demonstrate a liquid state changed into a solid state by freezing milk (cream).

Pour 1 cup of milk into SMALL can. Add 1/4 cup of sugar.
Add 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla. Stir. Cover the small can with its lid. Tape the lid closed. Place the small coffee can inside the large one. Fill the remaining space with crushed ice. Add 1/4 cup of salt to the top of the ice. Cover the large coffee can.
Tape the lid closed. Turn the can on its side. Roll cans on the floor. After 15-20 minutes check the can. Note the condensation on the outside of the can. (Please note this recipe will not work if you skip adding salt over the ice..)

Fill one large bag with the 6 tablespoons of salt and about half full with ice. In the small bag fill with the milk, sugar, and vanilla. Seal the smaller bag and place inside the large bag with the salt and ice. Seal well. Now place this bag inside another gallon-size bag. (We used two large bags because the children were very vigorous with their shaking and the bags were
getting holes in them!) and shake the mixture for about 5 minutes. Open bags and wipe off the top of the small bag and open carefully and enjoy.

~Submitted by Cheryl's Sweethearts ChildCare

Ice Cream Snowballs

vanilla ice cream
1/2 cup shredded cocnut
favorite ice cream sauce

Form ice cream into balls, roll into coconut. Place balls into small bowls. FREEZE.